The member States of the Council of Europe, having expressed their consent to be bound
by the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances, done at Vienna on 20 December 1988, hereinafter referred to as “The Vienna Convention”,
Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between
its members;
Convinced of the need to pursue a common criminal policy aimed at the protection of
society;
Considering that the fight against serious crime, which has become an increasingly
international problem, calls for close co-operation on an international scale;
Desiring to increase their co-operation to the fullest possible extent in the suppression
of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by sea, in conformity
with the international law of the sea and in full respect of the principle of right
of freedom of navigation;
Considering, therefore, that Article 17 of the Vienna Convention should be supplemented by a regional agreement to carry out, and to enhance the effectiveness
of the provisions of that article,